David Bahn – Reflections

Matthew 3:8

[John the Baptist says,] “Bear fruit in keeping with repentance.”

Sometimes our casual and comfortable attitude toward God and worship belies a deep fear of God – much like whistling in the cemetery at midnight. Sometimes we saunter nonchalantly because we know no better. In either case it’s not a good practice.

In times past preachers would regale people with vivid depictions of hell: lakes of fire, unending torment, and other kinds of suffering. Today the largest church in North America is famous for the preacher’s smiling face and positive message. He tells us that you can be the best you there is.

Perhaps he’s on to something. Maybe this strikes a chord of excitement and anticipation. People might really be connecting with God and His promises, and the hope that brings. I hope so, though I have my doubts.

Of course the opposite possibility – hardly rare, and perhaps more dangerous – is a boredom with the whole religion/faith/God thing. People gather not so much for worship, as for going through rituals old and new that they are supposed to go through and do so on auto-pilot. Not nonchalant, but certainly not engaged.

What makes worship true? What makes it the kind that God desires from and for us (worship in Spirit and in truth – cf. John 4)? It is a sense of sincere repentance. The genuine article: sorrow for our sins and faith in the promises of God. Out of that will come the kind of “fear, love and trust” that is pleasing to God and healthy and edifying to man.

I have no plans to launch into a hellfire and brimstone sermon series at St. John (some will be glad to learn that!). But I do wonder how we might capture a healthy sense of fear, that gives way also to love and trust in the goodness of God.

Yesterday, a woman wrote me expressing concern about the coming judgment of Jesus. She was worried that there was a day of judgment in her future that would be her doom. It was a joy to share the Good News that Jesus is our righteousness, hope, life and salvation; she need not fear His judgment. Those who fear they will not make it are closer to God than those who give it no thought at all.

We are called to bring forth the fruits of repentance. John teaches in Luke 3:10-14 that the fruit of repentance is a matter of daily life. From a life of kindness, generosity, faithful employment, and gentleness will best spring a good and proper attitude toward God in worship. Jesus has made that possible: He has poured out the Holy Spirit so that we may worship in Spirit and in truth.